Azathioprine
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Azasan, Imuran
Important warning
Azathioprine can cause a decrease in the number of blood cells in your bone marrow. If you experience any of the following
symptoms, call your doctor immediately: unusual bleeding or bruising; excessive tiredness; pale skin; headache; confusion;
dizziness; fast heartbeat; difficulty sleeping; weakness; shortness of breath; and sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs
of infection. Your doctor will order tests before, during, and after your treatment to see if your blood cells are affected
by this drug.
Azathioprine may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer, especially skin cancer and lymphoma. Tell your
doctor if you have or have ever had cancer and if you are taking or have ever taken alkylating agents such as chlorambucil
(Leukeran), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), or melphalan (Alkeran) for cancer. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any
changes in your skin or any lumps or masses anywhere in your body. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication.
Azathioprine is used with other medications to prevent rejection of kidney transplants. It is also used to treat severe rheumatoid
arthritis (a condition in which the body attacks its own joints, causing pain and swelling) when other medications and treatments
have not helped. Azathioprine is in a class of medications called immunosuppressants. It works by weakening the body's immune
system so it will not attack the transplanted organ or the joints.
Azathioprine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day after meals. To help you remember
to take azathioprine, take it around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully,
and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take azathioprine exactly as directed. Do not
take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
If you are taking azathioprine to treat rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor may start you on a low dose and gradually increase
your dose after 6-8 weeks and then not more than once every 4 weeks. If you are taking azathioprine to prevent kidney transplant
rejection, your doctor may start you on a high dose and decrease your dose gradually as your body adjusts to the transplant.
Azathioprine controls rheumatoid arthritis but does not cure it. It may take some time before you feel the full benefit of
azathioprine. Azathioprine prevents transplant rejection only as long as you are taking the medication. Continue to take azathioprine
even if you feel well. Do not stop taking azathioprine without talking to your doctor.
Azathioprine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- muscle aches
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them or those listed in
the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately.
- mouth sores
- cough
- lack of energy
- loss of appetite
- pain in the upper right part of the stomach
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- flu-like symptoms
- rash
- blurred vision
- stomach pain
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA)
MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
Before taking azathioprine,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to azathioprine or any other medications.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the medications mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and the following: allopurinol (Zyloprim); angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Lexxel, Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik, Tarka); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antimalarials such as chloroquine (Aralen), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), mefloquine (Lariam), primaquine, proguanil (Malarone), pyrimethamine (Daraprim), and quinine; cancer chemotherapy medications; co-trimoxazole (Bactrim, Septra, Sulfatrim); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); gold compounds such as auranofin (Ridaura) and aurothioglucose (Aurolate, Solganal); methotrexate (Rheumatrex); penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen); sirolimus (Rapamune); and tacrolimus (Prograf).
- tell your doctor if you have any type of infection, or if you have or have ever had kidney, liver, or pancreas disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You should use birth control to be sure you or your partner will not become pregnant while you are taking this medication. Do not breastfeed while you are taking this medication.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking azathioprine.
- Do not have any vaccinations (e.g., measles or flu shots) during or after your treatment without talking to your doctor.
- you should know that azathioprine may decrease your ability to fight infection. Stay away from people who are sick, and wash your hands often.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and
continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Azathioprine is also used to treat ulcerative colitis (a condition in which sores develop in the intestine causing pain and
diarrhea). Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature
and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.
Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing,
call local emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response
to azathioprine.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines
you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list
with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with
you in case of emergencies.
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